These hanging stockings add a handmade warmth to a mantelpiece that mass-produced decorations simply cannot match. You create a dense, squishy fabric using worsted weight yarn, ensuring the finished piece holds its shape even when filled with heavy treats and small gifts. Beginners will find the process approachable because you build the design using basic color changes and standard stitch counts. Working through these charts helps you practice managing two strands of yarn at once to achieve a clean result. You will finish this project with a custom holiday decoration that reflects your personal style and carries memories for years.

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Why You’ll Love This Pattern

This crochet ribbed beanie relies on a simple repeating pattern of single crochet stitches worked in the back loops, creating a stretchy fabric that mimics the appearance of traditional knit ribbing. Because it uses a medium-weight yarn, the project works up quickly, making it a reliable choice for last-minute gifts or for those building their inventory for craft fairs. The construction is entirely flat, which removes the need for complex shaping or circular increases. You only need to know how to chain and work back-and-forth in rows before seaming the piece into a tube. It is a forgiving pattern for beginners who are still mastering their tension consistency.

I finished this hat in one evening while watching a movie. The instructions are very clear about where to place the stitches, and the final fit is snug but comfortable.

— Sarah, experienced hobbyist

Pattern Overview & Skill Level

Skill Level: Beginner
Approximate Time: 3 to 4 hours
Construction: Worked flat in one rectangular panel, then folded and seamed
Finished Dimensions & Sizing: 9 inches wide by 11 inches tall (fits most adult heads)

Materials & Supplies Needed

Yarn: Worsted weight (#4), wool or acrylic blend, approximately 200 yards.
Hook Size: 5.0 mm (US H-8) crochet hook.
Notions needed: Yarn needle for seaming, scissors, and a measuring tape to ensure consistent height.
Safe yarn substitutions: Any standard worsted-weight yarn made of wool, acrylic, or a wool/acrylic blend will work. Using a 100% cotton yarn will result in a heavier hat with less stretch, so consider sizing up your hook if you choose cotton to maintain flexibility.

Stitch Guide & Abbreviations (US Terms)

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
st/sts = stitch/stitches
BLO = back loop only: insert hook under only the back loop of the stitch instead of both loops to create ridges.
sl st = slip stitch
turning ch = chain 1 at the end of the row, does not count as a stitch.

Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions

Main Body Panel

Start by chaining 46. This initial chain determines the height of your beanie. If you prefer a slouchier fit, add more chains to the starting length.

Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in every ch across. (45 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in the BLO of every st across. (45 sts)
Rows 3 to 60: Repeat Row 2 until the piece measures approximately 18 inches in width when slightly stretched. (45 sts)

Finishing and Assembly

Once you reach the final row, leave a long tail of yarn, approximately 20 inches, before cutting the working yarn. Thread the tail onto your yarn needle. Fold the rectangular panel in half so that the short ends meet. Sew the short ends together using a whip stitch or mattress stitch, working through both layers to create a tube. Once the seam is closed, use the remaining yarn tail to weave in and out of the stitches along one edge of the tube. Pull the tail tight to cinch the top of the hat closed. Secure the yarn with a knot and weave in your ends on the interior side of the hat.

Care & Washing Instructions

Hand wash your finished hat in cool water with a mild wool-safe detergent to maintain the integrity of the fibers.
Gently squeeze out excess water using a towel rather than wringing the fabric, then lay the hat flat on a dry towel to air dry.
Avoid high heat from dryers, as this can cause the yarn to felt or lose its elasticity.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Consistent tension is the most important factor in this project; if your stitches are too tight, the ribbing will lose its signature stretch. Always count your stitches at the end of every row to ensure you have exactly 45; missing a stitch at the end will cause the top edge of your rectangle to taper, making the final seam uneven. To weave in ends invisibly, always work your needle through the back of the stitches rather than piercing the front-facing loops. If you want a smaller or larger fit, simply subtract or add rows to the total length before seaming, keeping in mind that each row adds roughly 0.3 inches to the circumference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different weight of yarn for this pattern?

Using a lighter or heavier yarn will significantly change the gauge. If you use a lighter yarn, you will need more rows to reach the 18-inch width, and if you use a bulkier yarn, you will need fewer rows.

How can I adjust the hat to fit a child instead of an adult?

Reduce the number of stitches in your starting chain to about 35 or 40 to decrease the height, and work fewer rows to decrease the circumference until it fits the target head measurement.

Is it difficult for a complete beginner to perform the BLO technique?

The back loop only stitch is very beginner-friendly. It is identical to a standard single crochet, but you move the hook position slightly to catch only the back strand, which creates the vertical texture.

Am I allowed to sell hats made from this pattern?

You are welcome to sell finished items created from this pattern. I only ask that you credit the design and use your own photographs when listing the items for sale.

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Hanging your finished stocking by the fireplace brings a genuine sense of accomplishment to your holiday preparations. You might consider working these charts in a two-tone neutral palette for a modern farmhouse look or using bright classic reds and greens for a traditional feel. Posting a photo of your work on Instagram or Facebook helps inspire other makers in our community to start their own holiday stitching. Please feel free to browse through the rest of the pattern archives on the blog for more seasonal projects to fill your home.